Turnovers will be a key part of the defense for the Miami Dolphins

Written by Matthew Cannata | Twitter: @PhinManiacs
The Miami Dolphins have three interceptions and five fumble recoveries on the year and if they want to have success against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, they will need to come up with more. However, with Green Bay at a plus-six turnover ratio, they will be hard to come by.

“They are number one in the league. Their coaching staff, their perimeter players, their quarterbacks have done a great job of that the last three years. It’s not easy,” said Joe Philbin. “It’s not easy, but that’s going to be a big part of the game. Obviously, we talked to the guys, this is an efficient football team that we are playing. We have to play a smart game. We have to go out there and do a great job carrying the ball the right, proper way offensively, the way we were taught to do it. Then we have to find a way to knock the ball loose. There are pictures, they are not flawless, but certainly we are going to have to work at it.”

Philbin said he is looking for several things from the defense on Sunday and says that these are the things that have already been discussed in the meeting room throughout the week.

“Creating turnovers, tackling, pursuit, eliminating big plays, turnovers, tackling, pursuit and eliminating big plays. But if you are just asking, those are the things that are up on our board in our defensive room. That’s the starting point. I want a team that tackles. I want a team that pursues. I want a team that takes the ball away. Obviously, third down defense is important, red zone defense is important. Again, this year is this year. I think our scoring defense for two years has been pretty good, quite good. A lot of these teams would be envious, I would say. This year, it’s a little bit of the opposite. Our total defense is really good, but our scoring isn’t quite there yet. It’s a long season. I think there is a lot of football left to be played.”

With all that said, it all begins with the defensive line and if the front four can put a lot of pressure on Aaron Rodgers throughout the game, it will make the job of the linebackers and secondary that much easier.

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